New Year's Eve

So Christmas is over and now we are on to the New Year's Eve celebration... As many of you know by now, I am travelling to Arkansas to hang with Meg for the big day (I know, some of you are bitterly jealous). But I will make in stop in Memphis to hang with my best friend Dave. He is the absolute best guy friend I have ever had!! Most of his friends have some anger directed towards me b/c Dave turned the poker room at his place into Heather's room... I can't blame them really...

So on to the big weekend! I'm a little worried b/c my tolerance is VERY low right now.... Mainly b/c I have spent like the past 5 weekends at my mom's house and I am jonesing for a good party and some adult beverages... No offense to the fam of course, I love spending time with them but sometimes a girl has got to cut loose!!

So I'm wondering what you all think I will do on New Year's Eve, how crazy will I really get??
Will I :
1. Dance on table (very likely)
2. Drink until my southern accent sounds as if I just walked off the set of Steel Magnolias
3. Start taking off my clothes in the middle of the bar (fyi, not likely, even during my CRAZY college years, I ALWAYS kept my clothes on while at the bar)
4. Let men put $5 bills in my G-String (that was for you CS)
5. OTHER ( This one is for y'all to fill in the blank)

Since I won't have anyone to kiss at midnight (STUPID WAR) I guess I'll have to kiss Meg full on the mouth when the clock strikes midnight... (That was defintely for CS and Eunuch aka Sparky)...

Happy New Year to you all.. Here's hoping for a wonderful and blessed 2006!!

"I dropped my basket"

That's one of my favorite lines from the Ya-Ya Sisterhood...It was the main character's way of describing her complete mental breakdown to her soon to be son-in-law... A complete mentla breakdown that almost resulted in her killing her children then running away from home.. Well, that kind of explains what happened to me yesterday... I dropped my basket.. but I did not attempt to kill any children nor did I run away from home..

I am now at my mom's house enjoying time with family. I've already eaten 3 plates of food (they were small plates!) and I'm about to take a nap.. The Colts Game comes on in a minute so I will probably lie down and fall asleep...Ahhhhh sounds so nice...

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!! I feel so blessed to have you all in my life..

And if anyone wants to get me that last minute Christmas gift, try page 25 of the Tiffany's Holiday Catalog... the ring or earings would be fab!! Hugs and kisses all!!

SO Tired

So tired of being disappointed.
So tired of expecting things from people that just don't care.
So tired of men saying they are going to do one thing and end up doing another.
So tired of promises that are never kept.
So tired of being the good girl.
So tired of doing what is "expected" of me.
So tired of feeling worthless.

That's it, I'm just so damned tired...

But I guess I'll just suck it up put on my happy face b/c there are presents to wrap and Christmas events I must attend...Time to put my big girl panties on and get on with it.

Merry Christmas Everyone....

Letting go and moving on

Lately I've been letting go of a lot of stuff I've been carrying around with me for far too long... Music means so much to me and usually can express exactly what I am thinking and feeling... So thanks to Keith Urban for putting this song out there for folks like me.... Letting go and moving on feels wonderful especially when you are moving on to something and someone amazing....

You'll Think of Me
I woke up early this morning around 4am
With the moon shining bright as headlights on the interstate
I pulled the covers over my head and tried to catch some sleep
But thoughts of us kept keeping me awake
Ever since you found yourself in someone else's arms
I've been tryin' my best to get along
But that's OK
There's nothing left to say,

butTake your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don't need'em
Take your space and take your reasons
But you'll think of me
And take your cat and leave my sweater
'Cause we have nothing left to weather
In fact I'll feel a whole lot better
But you'll think of me, you'll think of me
I went out driving trying to clear my head
I tried to sweep out all the ruins that my emotions left
I guess I'm feeling just a little tired of this
And all the baggage that seems to still exist
It seems the only blessing I have left to my name
Is not knowing what we could have been
What we should have been

SoTake your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don't need'em
Take your space and take your reasons
But you'll think of me
And take your cat and leave my sweater
'Cause we have nothing left to weather
In fact I'll feel a whole lot better
But you'll think of me

Someday I'm gonna run across your mind
Don't worry, I'll be fineI'm gonna be alright
While you're sleeping with your pride
Wishing I could hold you tight
I'll be over youAnd on with my life

So take your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don't need'em
And take your cat and leave my sweater
'Cause we have nothing left to weather
In fact I'll feel a whole lot better
But you'll think of me
So take your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don't need'em
Take your space and all your reasons
But you'll think of me
And take your cat and leave my sweater
'Cause we got nothing left to weather
In fact I'll feel a whole lot better
But you'll think of me, you'll think of me, yeah
And you're gonna think of me
Oh someday baby, someday

She was hinting about it...

Ok, so meg calls me today..
Meg: remind me not to punch my father out...
(there she goes again, wanting to beat up men!!)
Me: why would you want to do that?
Meg: Cuz he wants me to buy mom a pair of 2 carat diamond stud earings (b/c she's been hinting about it) and he's willing to chip in a couple hundred bucks... How much do they cost anyway??

NOW THAT'S A LOADED QUESTION, how much do they cost??

So I get to work and start researching b/c apparently no one is at work today and I refuse to do anything that remotely resembles work...

So here it is just in case you were wondering...

From Tiffany's (my most favorite store in the whole wide world)
Tiffany diamond studs, for pierced ears. Round brilliant diamonds, carat total weight .90, color grade E, clarity grade IF. Set in platinum. This item comes with a Tiffany Diamond Certificate.
$12,000..

From Zales (ewwwww)
1-1/2 CT. T.W. Round Diamond Solitaire Stud Earrings in 14K White Gold
Reg. $4285.00
Now $2999.99
Each earring has one round diamond in a 14K white gold 4-prong setting. The earrings include a screw back to insure a secure fit..

Meg- I'm thinking the $500 handbag is sounding better all the time... If your daddy is anything like mine, who called me Sunday evening with an urgent message to call him... Yeah, I'm thinking someone is DEAD, but no, he just wants me to find EVERYTHING UT for my worthless stepsister's kid. So I should stop what I am doing and find everything now! Well you know what, he has the same internet access that I do. But what am I doing instead of telling him to do it himself?? The same thing Meg is doing for her daddy, doing it for him...Does that make us very good daughters or just extremely stupid??

Oh yeah and my dad doesn't pick up on the hints I dropping... Like, "daddy, I'm using the same computer from college, it's awful... I would really like to have a laptop, but I just can't afford it" . His response, "yeah, I was thinking of getting one myself".... ARGHHHH!!! MEN!!! Sometimes they can be so dense...

So ladies, quit dropping hints and drop a brick on their head with a note attached telling them EXACTLY what you want (where to get it and how much it's going to cost them)...

SEC Fans and Lightbulbs

I know that Meg is going to kill me for this one, but it's funny!!!

How many SEC fans does it take to change a lightbulb?
____________________________________
At Vanderbilt it takes two. One to change the bulb and one to call Daddy for
the American Express number to pay for it.

At Georgia it takes three. One to change the bulb, and two to phone a friend
at Georgia Tech and get instructions.

At Florida it takes four. One to screw in the bulb and three to figure out
how to get high off the old one.

At Alabama it takes five. One to change it, one older person to talk about
how Bear would have done it, one to throw the old bulb at Auburn students, one
to blame the bulb burning out on Phillip Fulmer, and one to place the call
to Tommy Gallion's office to report the burned out bulb.

At Ole Miss it takes six. One to change it, two to mix the drinks, two to
find the perfect Brooks Brothers outfit to wear for the occasion, and one to
stroll through the Grove to announce the replacement of the old bulb.

At LSU it takes seven. And each one gets credit for four semester hours for
it. For bulbs in New Orleans, add four more individuals, one relief worker,
one National Guardsman, and two FEMA representatives.

At Kentucky it takes eight. One to screw it in, and seven to discuss how
much brighter it shines during basketball season.

At Tennessee it takes ten. Two to figure out how to screw it in, two to buy
an orange lampshade, and six to phone a radio call-in show and talk about how
Phillip Fulmer is too stupid to do it and doesn't have anybody on his
offensive staff who can do it either.

At Mississippi State it takes fifteen. One to screw in the bulb, two to buy
the Skoal, and twelve to shout, "GO TO HELL OLE MISS, GO TO HELL!!!"

At Auburn it takes 100. One to change it, 49 to talk about how well they do
it better than Bama, and 50 who realize it's all a lie.

At South Carolina it takes 80,000. One to screw it in, and 79,999 to
discuss how the old ball coach will have a great football team next year.

At Arkansas it takes none. There is no electricity in Arkansas.

Riddle me this batman...

Ok so a very special friend of mine has sent me something for Christmas and he won't tell me what it is nor will he let me open it until Christmas.... but he did send me a clue/ riddle....

Here it is:

When it falls, its impossible to catch, Even when its empty is easy to
refill, It has a hint of vanilla, but its not for eats And its for daily
show off or very special wear...

Ok, so what does everyone think??

What is Christmas Really About??

As a Christian I wanted to pose this question to all of you.... To me Christmas in America has lost its true meaning... It's about the birth of Christ.. not santa, not rudolph, not frosty... Gifts we give each other are supposed to be symbols of the gifts that were presented to Christ, right?? Well, when you give a gift, do you say, "here, I give this to you in Christ's name" , I don't but maybe we should... I go to church every Sunday and I actually love going to my church but on one of the holiest days of my religion, Christmas Eve, I probably won't go simply because there is just too much to do... TOO MUCH DO?? For what?? For Christ? No, stupid pidly little insignifcant things...
Every year I get caught up in the gift buying and end up broke going into the new year. When I tell my mother, please don't buy me a lot this year, her response is, 'yeah right and I can just see your face when your done opneing gifts, as if to say is that it??' I feel bad when she says that to me... Does she think I'm that shallow?? I guess in the past I have been, but I'm really not anymore. She's so afraid to see that look on my face that she breaks her back and the bank to give me everything.. I feel bad that I have conditioned her to feel that way. But I'm here to say enough is enough! I would much rather her not buy me ANYTHING and buy herself a new sofa!! For the love of man, our sofa is ALMOST as old as me... But she's one of those moms that would rather buy for her child than for herself... She's good that way....
My goal for the next year is to prove to my mother that I'm not the selfish little girl I used to be. Then I am going to limit her gift giving, at least to me next year. The best gift she could give me would be taking the money she would spend on me, and spend it ON HERSELF....

So I challenge you, tell me what you think Christmas really means... then tell me how you tend to forget what it means...

Merry Christmas Y'all!

Feeling Blah Today

So I'm feeling so BLAH today... I'm eating everything in site, I think I can actually hear myself getting fatter... OH for the love of man and damn these stupid hormones!! So I can't really think of anything good or funny to write about... So I am posting something near and dear to my heart, THE DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD... ok, so all the guys just stopped reading, but fine with me- WHATEVER.. Like I said, feeling blah and I don't care who knows about it!! Meg honey, the way we have been feelin lately, I think this should make us feel a little better especially #2!!! New year's can't get here soon enough gurl!! Beale Street, here we come!!

Enjoy!!

The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

1) If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it will always be yours. If it doesn't come back, it was never yours to begin with. But, if it just sits in your living room, messes up your stuff, eats your food, uses your telephone, takes your money, and doesn't appear to realize that you had set it free....... You either married it or gave birth to it.

2) Reason to smile: Every 7 minutes of every day, someone in an aerobics class pulls a hamstring.

3) My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

4) The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes.

5) The nice part about living in a small town: When you don't know what you're doing, someone else always does.

6) Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.

7) Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness.

8) Amazing! ! You hang something in your closet for a while and it shrinks two sizes!

9) They keep telling us to get in touch with our bodies. Mine isn't all that communicative but I heard from it the other day after I said, "Body, how'd you like to go to the six o'clock class in vigorous toning?" Clear as a bell my body said, "Listen fatty....do it and die."

10) I read this article that said the typical symptoms of stress are eating too much, impulse buying, and driving too fast. Are they kidding? That's my idea of a perfect day.

Let it snow, for the love of man, let it snow!!!

Ok- so yet again Nashvegas and all of Tennessee missed the snowstorm of the year! My friend lives out in Missouri and she got a ton of it...I know this b/c she sent me pictures... Being from the south, she was so excited, much to her dismay, none of her co-workers were the least bit excited, they all stared at her like she was a one woman freak show....

And why do the news stations around here use those STUPID teases leading into the newscast saying something like "the snow storm of the century is headed east but we're not out of the woods yet" knowing full well that all we are going get is rain... and why so I STILL get so mad when I wake up in the morning AFTER the weather bafoons have predicted snow, only to see wet streets!! It makes me crazy.... I think it's cruel and it should be punishable by law!!

And the mass exodus towards any and all grocery stores?? To get what, bread and milk (sorry PK, but after reading your post, I had to write about this)?? This is the most insane thing I've ever heard!!! You get bread and milk so you can make what, milk sandwiches?? Hellfire, I'm going to the store to buy the biggest bag of doritos I can find, some moon pies and some beer! To hell with bread and milk!

I guess I'm still a kid at heart and I want my snow days!! I remember when I was little and it would snow tons!! My momma would dress me up (picture the kid in A Christmas Story) and send me out in the snow to play with my friends all day.. We would play until it got dark, I never remember being cold, just having so much fun sledding, making snow angels and having snow ball fights... Momma would make me come in through the back door into the kitchen so I would get the carpet wet... she would strip me out of the wet clothes and send me right into a hot bath... It was awesome...

So I'm still hoping for snow!! So let it snow, for the love of man let it snow!!!

A Day of Remembrance

Did you know that today is Pearl Harbor Day? It was a day that America was brutally attacked by a cowardly "empire". Our country came together and we fought enemies, on their soil and won. I'm not going to use this day to promote my feelings on the war we are currently fighting.. I'm going to use this day to honor the men and women of the World War II era.. My grandfather, and all 3 of my great uncles fought in WWII and they were so proud of their service. My last great uncle died a couple of years ago and he asled to burried in his Navy uniform and he had a miltary funeral. A very touching moment was when we couldn't find any of the military bars that were to be adorned on his chest... So another one of my uncles who is a Vietnam Veteran pinned his own bars from his uniform on the uniform a fellow veteran... My great uncle was buried with those bars...

Today there are few WWII veterans left... So take a moment to remember those who were lost on Pearl Harbor Day and remember the men and women of the WWII era.... They made this country what it is today... for that we should be so grateful..

I have included President's declaration of war speech... Please read and remember what was truly the Greatest Generation...

"Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation.
As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces- with the unbounding determination of our people- we will gain the inevitable triumph- so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire. "

God Bless America....

Tag you're it!!

So apparently I was tagged the other day, which means I have to post the following.... Enjoy!!

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was 2 years out of high school and partying my butt off in college...

What were you doing 1 year ago??
Well, pretty much the same thing as I am doing now, getting ready for the holidays.... but I was still getting settled in my brand new townhouse.

5 snacks you enjoy:
1. potato chips (pretty much all kinds)
2. french fries with ranch dressing for dipping
3. Godiva chocolate (all kinds)
4. Chocolate chip oatmeal raisin cookies
5. Nachos from La hacienda (it's a mexican joint right down the street from me)

5 songs to which you know all of the words
1. Amamzing Grace
2. Rocky Top
3. The Tennessee Waltz
4. At Last - Etta James
5. Baby got back (not really a song but I think it counts)

5 Things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1. Take care of my momma- I'd buy here a little beach house on Folly Beach
2. Pay off all debts (house, car, student loans)
3. Travel everywhere- start with the USA (cuz there's lots of it I haven't seen), then on to Europe..
No need for a 4 or 5 cause I think I'm out of money...

5 bad habits:
1. Not hanging up my clothes when I come home from work and change into comfy clothes..
2. playing with my hair
3. being late for work.. thank goodness my boss doesn't really mind
4. being short with my mother (but anyone that has a southern momma like mine understands)
5. Critisizing what people wear.. That's always a confession in Sunday mornings..

5 things I like doing:
1. Volunteer work
2. Watching sports
3. hanging with my family
4. shopping
5. sleeping

5 things you would never wear again:
Um hello... does anyone remember the 80's??
1. Parachute pants
2. Guess jeans that zipped at the the ankle
3. Anything with shoulder pads
4. those horrible huge Sally Jesse Raphael looking glasses
5. cut off blue jean shorts

5 favorite toys:
1. My DVR
2. My Dvd player
3. My little car... The Black Beauty aka 99 Nissan Altima.
4. my beach chair... You carry it like a backpack, and it's pockets for your beach towel, your book, your lunch and it has a cup holder
5. My cell phone-

Well that's it kids... Any questions, feel ftree to fire away!!!

Pretty is as pretty does

That's what my grandmother use to say to us when we were growing up... Mammaw is what we called her. Today would have been her brithday. I mentioned in the post about Daniel how special she was, but you don't know the whole story. She is quite frankly the reason I am who I am. The unconditional love that she showed to all of us, even when we didn't deserve it times was something to behold...She was so pretty too..Her hair was always done and she always looked her best when she was out and about...
I'm having a hard time finding the words to describe her. How do you really find the words that are in your heart..There aren't really any words powerful enough to describe the woman I looked up to the most in my life (with the exception of my own mother)... She brought light and love to everyone she met. She was a strong Christian, and she studied the Bible, I mean studied it...But she was never judgemental about those that weren't as strong in their faith.
I miss her everyday. When there are big moments in my life especially..I can remember when little Thomas was born (see Thanksgiving entry). She had been gone from us for a little over a year... I held him when he was just a few hours old... I cried b/c he would never know her like his mom and I did, and I promised him at that moment that would I tell him all about her and he would always know who she was and how special she was to us as a family..

The tears are flowing now b/c I still miss her and there's so much I want to tell her. But I know she's in heaven looking down on me and the family and she hears me... but I would give everything I owned just to hear her voice one more time, to hear her same my name and tell me she loves me....

She said something to me a few days before she died- fyi mammaw didn't suffer from a long illness, she wasn't feeble when she died, she was sitting at home in her recliner just watching television, when her heart finally gave out- She said, "you know, sometimes I get really scared about things but then I just think about how blessed I am and everything's ok" .... She only said it to me and it was the first time I had EVER heard her acknowledge fear, but her blessings out weighed her fears and she was comforted by that... I think she knew her time was drawing near...

She had style, grace, integrity, and most importantly she had the love of God in her heart, and her heart was pure.

Happy birthday Mammaw, we love you and miss you so much...

Oh and one more thing, the young man that I talked about in a previous post, Daniel, passed away today, on Mammaw's birthday... I know she was there to welcome him home...God rest his little soul...

G.R.I.T.S

This is for Meg and all of the other southern girls out there!!!
You know GRITS....GIRLS RAISED IN THE SOUTH!!!!!!

Southern girls know bad manners when they see them:
Drinking straight out of a can
Not sending thank you notes
Velvet after February
White shoes before Easter or after Labor Day

Southern girls know the three types of school
Ballroom, Ballet, Charm.

Southern girls appreciate their natural assets:
Dewy skin
A winning smile
That unforgettable Southern drawl

Southern girls know their manners:
"Yes, ma'am"
"Yes, sir"
"Why, no, Billy!"

Southern girls have a distinct way with fond expressions:
"Y'all come back!"
"Well, bless your heart."
"Drop by when you can."
"How's your mother?"
"Love your hair."

Southern girls don't sweat.... They glisten.

Southern girls know their summer weather report:
Humidity
Humidity
Humidity

Southern girls have more fun than should be allowed.

Southern girls know their three R's:
Rich
Richer
Richest

Southern girls know their vacation spots:
The Beach
The Beach
The Beach

Southern girls know the joys of June, July, and August:
Summer tans
Wide brimmed hats
Strapless sun dresses

Southern girls know everybody's first name:
Honey
Darlin'
Sugah

Southern girls know the movies that speak to their hearts:
"Gone With the Wind"
"Fried Green Tomatoes"
"Driving Miss Daisy"
"Steel Magnolias"

Southern girls know their religions:
Baptist
Methodist
Football

Southern girls know the seasons:
Recruiting
Spring Training
Practice
Football
Needlework

Southern girls know their country breakfasts:
Red-eye gravy
GRITS
Country ham

Mouth watering homemade biscuits

Southern girls know their cities dripping with Southern
charm:
Charleston
Savannah
New Orleans
Birmingham

Southern girls know their elegant gentlemen:
Men in uniform
Men in tuxedos
Rhett Butler, of course

Y'all know Southern girls are quick on the drawl.

Southern girls know their prime real estate:
The Mall
The Country Club
The Beauty Salon

Southern girls can teach anyone to flirt ...
Slowly lower your eyelashes.
Listen carefully to everything he says.
Speak r-e-a-l slow.

Southern girls know the three deadly sins:
Bad hair
Bad manners
Bad blind dates

Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are forevah!
Now you run along Sugah, and send this to some other Girls Raised In The South, i.e., Southern Belles!